Samsung Galaxy Watch Review

Great Apple Watch Alternative

Score: 8.5 / 10

MSRP: 46mm $459 42mm $419

The smartwatch ecosystem is getting more
interesting and useful as the years go on. While Apple is currently the king of
the high-end smartwatch world, companies like Samsung are slowly catching up,
offering more compelling options for users not on the iOS platform. One such
watch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch, is now available in Canada, and despite some
minor nit-picks, manages to be an exciting offering in a sea of mediocre
devices.

Before we go any further, it should be noted
that the Samsung Galaxy Watch is a stunning smart timepiece. No, it does not
have the design flair of the Apple Watch, and ultimately has the fit and finish
of a typical smartwatch, but even with that said, Samsung has built something
that stands out on and off your wrist.

The two sizes, 46mm with a 1.3” screen, or the
42mm and 1.2” screen are both gorgeous devices. The colour options of silver
accent on the larger, with Midnight Black and Rose Gold for the small, only add
to the timeless look and feel of the timepiece. The simple rotating dial,
carried over from previous Samsung Gear smartwatches, remains a great way to
interact with the device if a touch screen is not your style.

Samsung Galaxy Watch – Review Images provided by Samsung

Everything about Samsung’s Galaxy Watch feels
modern while still built for utility. Never in my time testing the watch did I
feel lost in the interface, or that the Galaxy was anything beyond what it is
trying to be—a smartwatch—giving access to all features of my phone. The dial
and two buttons combined with the touchscreen made all tasks a breeze to perform.
Add to that a simple OS, and it made for a very enjoyable experience.

Part of this is thanks to the OS Samsung have
opted to use. The Tizen based system feels tailor-made for the small form
factor, not trying to do more than necessary, especially for daily activities,
such as checking weather, fitness, or simply telling the time.

Speaking of health and wellness, the Galaxy
Watch shines when it’s used for fitness related activities. Out of the box, the
rubber band worked well for the times I brought it to the gym, and the built-in
apps helped with many levels of fitness.

Now let’s be clear, the Galaxy Watch will not
substitute for a proper fitness instructor, and if you want to dive into any
serious level of health and exercise, there are much better options out there. However,
if you are looking for something to help motivate, the Galaxy is a great
option. The 39 built-in workouts are a great way to get you started at the gym,
and the stress tracking and sleep tracking are also great additions, with the
app helping out with breathing exercises in times of greater stress.

Samsung Galaxy Watch – Review Images provided by Samsung

It is also nice to see how much more granular
the Galaxy Watch managed to be at tracking walking, stairs, or any other daily
activity. There was a larger difference between my phone’s tracking and the device’s
tracking than I would have imagined.

But all of these features would be pointless
if the Galaxy Watch could not last through a day. Thankfully, the 270mAh
battery on the 42mm watch I tested (427mAh battery on the 46mm) surpassed my
expectations. In testing the watch lasted well over a day, making it almost to
48 hours before I had to set it on its charger. While not as impressive as my
trusty pebble, it still fared far better than many smartwatches currently on
the market!

Samsung has also built the watch to be used
outdoors. The Galaxy Watch boasts a military level of durability, with a
Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ screen. It also features water resistance, allowing
you to swim with 5 ATM of water resistance.

For added measure, the Galaxy Watch has 4GB
worth of storage. While not a lot of space, it can be used for apps, along with
music or other audio. Meaning you can listen to music while on a run with the
aid of Bluetooth headphones, although I would still advise having your phone
close at hand, as 4GB will not hold much.

Samsung Galaxy Watch – Review Images provided by Samsung

Samsung is solidifying their position in the
smartphone market with the Galaxy Watch. While at the end of the day it is only
an iterative step for their watch platform, it also firms up their strength
while working at eliminating many of the weaknesses seen in previous
iterations. It may not be as flashy as Apple’s offering, and there are
currently far fewer apps than on Android Wear, but what are present work well. If
you have a Samsung phone or are simply interested in trying something
different, you can’t go wrong with the Galaxy Watch.

8.5

The Samsung Galaxy Watch offers beauty while still managing to be one of the most useful smartwatches next to the Apple Watch.